Author Topic: Brought a Kit home (Read 2101 times)

keith44 · « **on:** May 02, 2011, 05:13:10 PM »

Well, I finally did it. I stopped playin' with junk noise makers, and bought a shooter. It is built by Traditions. The "Old Ironsides" replica in .69 cal. Based on other model cannons I have and have heard, I am looking forward to hearing her "voice" the first time.

keith44 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2011, 05:40:15 PM »

This is one I built, without any plan, just put it together to be a shooter. It is .56 cal, and 9" long. I've had it 7 years now, and yes it was proof tested, both provisional and definative proof loads were fired 3 times each, and each time the bore was air gauged, and the barrel wall was checked with ultra sonic equipment. (Note: four prior attempts failed one or more of these or a visual inspection due to poor material selection)

Service load of this one is 55 gr of 2F with 3/8 oz of #6 shot (usually just launches lubricated cotton balls with 70 gr of pyrodex RS.

keith44 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2011, 05:43:12 PM »

If you look at the bottom pic in the original post you can see the kit cannon in the fore ground and the home made just after. (The kit is just loose dry fit and posed for pictures)

Cannoneer · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2011, 07:19:33 PM »

That's a nice buy, Keith; you've got a good looking naval gun with a barrel made out of proper steel, and in that caliber you'll have an easy time finding lead ball to fire.

keith44 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2011, 07:51:34 PM »

Thanks Cannoneer,

There were several to choose from, not only from Traditions, but other makers as well. Having been discharged from the US Navy in 1987 (Honorable thank you) I wanted something that was represenative of the sailing history. I also wanted something made of gun steel, and something in kit form that would go well by the fire place. The big question now is do I paint the barrel or blue it. I'm leaning toward paint to get a good contrast with the wood, which I will stain "Teak"

Cannoneer · « **Reply #5 on:** May 02, 2011, 08:05:35 PM »

Quote from: keith44 on May 02, 2011, 07:51:34 PM

The big question now is do I paint the barrel or blue it. I'm leaning toward paint to get a good contrast with the wood, which I will stain "Teak"

I like both finishes on a steel barrel, but black paint would be the historically accurate choice.

Double D · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2011, 03:13:12 AM »

To be historically accurate, i believe the carriage needs to be red.

keith44 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2011, 07:21:23 AM »

Red?? really, I thought it was just sealed wood (on most ships). Too bad we don't have any color pictures from that era

dan610324 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2011, 09:56:36 AM »

of course we have

Winger Ed. · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2011, 02:07:36 PM »

Quote from: keith44 on May 02, 2011, 07:51:34 PM

The big question now is do I paint the barrel or blue it.

The black paint back then wasn't really much more than varnish with coal dust in it.
I wonder if it'd be practical to blacken it like a cast Iron frying pan is done?
Maybe cold blue it first,
then put cooking oil on it, heat it, cool & wash it..... over and over several times.

I've seen a few old cannon on display at parks in years past.
The 'finish' on them sort of reminds me of the way a old frying pan or sewer pipe looks.

Double D · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2011, 05:09:21 PM »

Quote from: keith44 on May 03, 2011, 07:21:23 AM

Red?? really, I thought it was just sealed wood (on most ships). Too bad we don't have any color pictures from that era

Here is a link to a gun drill aboard the U.S.S. Constitution... check out tehcolor.

keith44 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2011, 05:19:44 PM »

Thanks Dan!! I have the barrel painted, and a first red coat on the side plates. I'll be sanding most of it off to smooth the surface. I was about to ask about the wheels but I see they are red in that picture also. I may stick with a black wheel though. The axles will be coated with bees wax.

One thing I'm doing that's a bit off when I painted the barrel I taped off the Traditions logo and serial number along with the cal and black powder only statements. It looks like a makers presentation plate (from a distance)

keith44 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2011, 05:23:29 PM »

And Thank you Double D, that vid is great!! Looks like the black wheel Idea is on track.

dan610324 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2011, 01:41:47 AM »

that picture is probably approximately 50-70 years older than what you are looking for
and its the color used by the danish and norwegian fleets

I just posted it as an evidence that there are some color pictures , even if they are hard to find

keith44 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:53:49 PM »

Oh OK still the video post by Double D shows at least the guns currently on Iron Sides are red and black.

rampa room artillery · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2011, 03:20:52 AM »

oh yea, cold blue it, or brown it. that would be cool.

keith44 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2011, 07:49:52 PM »

Here it, Old Iron Sides kit cannon, complete and ready to fire.

Double D · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2011, 07:56:19 PM »

Now that looks sharp!!!

keith44 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2011, 08:07:05 PM »

coming from you DD that means alot!!

Thank you.

Double D · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2011, 02:09:34 AM »

It's Kewpie material of a picture was posted...can't award a Kewpie to an attachment

keith44 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2011, 09:38:24 PM »

Cannoneer · « **Reply #21 on:** May 12, 2011, 11:04:44 AM »

Keith,
Even though Dan really posted that watercolor just to prove DD's statement correct about red paint being used on some nations naval carriages in certain eras, I'm glad you decided to go with it. I think that the contrast between black barrel, red carriage, and black trucks makes for a fine looking rig.

This is another one of those someday things, it seems like there's not enough time in a day to get things done, but this is what I plan on doing with this gun; only instead of using paint I want to make a duplicate of the red oak carriage out of bloodwood (the reddest wood I can think of), and make the trucks out of ebony. I don't know if the colors will look as good with a brass barrel as they do with a black one, but I think it should look pretty good.

dan610324 · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2011, 11:35:31 AM »

thats pure beauty

Zulu · « **Reply #23 on:** May 12, 2011, 02:17:45 PM »

Cannoneer,
It looks like that front axle housing had an issue.

What happened?
Zulu

keith44 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 12, 2011, 03:04:28 PM »

Zulu, that one looks great as is! Bloodwood, polished to a satin sheen and then a light coat of urathane would look awesome with ebony wheels. Brass on red, let me see if I can find an example of those colors and post something.

Cannoneer · « **Reply #25 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:53:51 PM »

Quote from: Zulu on May 12, 2011, 02:17:45 PM

Cannoneer,
It looks like that front axle housing had an issue.
What happened?
Zulu

This naval gun was bought on an online auction site; there was no damage present on the photos that were shown of it, and there was no damage to the box it came in, but the axle arm was cracked off when I opened the package (a grin and bear it moment). I don't know why the axle was made that way (with an oak dowel), but it was fairly easy to repair.

dan610324 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:14:42 AM »

whats the size on that beauty ??

Zulu · « **Reply #27 on:** May 13, 2011, 03:38:53 AM »

Quote from: Cannoneer on May 12, 2011, 10:53:51 PM

Quote from: Zulu on May 12, 2011, 02:17:45 PM
Cannoneer,
It looks like that front axle housing had an issue.
What happened?
Zulu

This naval gun was bought on an online auction site; there was no damage present on the photos that were shown of it, and there was no damage to the box it came in, but the axle arm was cracked off when I opened the package (a grin and bear it moment). I don't know why the axle was made that way (with an oak dowel), but it was fairly easy to repair.

Cannoneer,
I remember now seeing that picture. You posted it before. It looks like someone drilled in a dowel because it was easier than turning it on a lathe. $:-\$ Taking shortcuts with a carriage can have its consequences.
Zulu
Zulu

Double D · « **Reply #28 on:** May 13, 2011, 06:20:07 AM »

I think one of the fellows here some time back built a mortar of purple heart....Jeepers1 maybe?

jeeper1 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 13, 2011, 07:55:16 AM »

I did.

It has darken slightly with age in the almost five years since I built it and took that picture. Interesting optical effect to the front of the base, it also shows up in other pictures.